Scientific Technical Writer

Position Objective: Provide services as a Scientific Technical Writer in support of the overall functions of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIAID Policy, Planning and Evaluation Branch requires expertise to complement the efforts of current federal employees. The PPE Branch seeks technical expertise to translate advanced biological concepts into clear guidance. A contract science writer ensures timely, objective, and high-quality development of technical documents that are essential for compliance with the Executive Order on Improving the Safet and Security of biological Research, addressing emerging biosafety and biosecurity risks, and facilitating effective information sharing across NIAID, NIH Institutes, and Federal agencies.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Prepares scientific and technical materials for publication.
• Research, write and edit in accordance with industry, academic and publication standards book manuscripts and chapters, peer reviewed journal articles, conference and symposium proceedings and general print media articles.
• Research, write and edit scientific and technical information in a variety of formats, including articles, blog posts, factsheets, one-pagers, brochures, presentations and speeches, workshop summaries, reports, briefing materials, press releases, content for digital media in online and print format.
• Research, write and edit policy papers featuring recommendations based on original research findings and conclusions.
• Conducts advanced literature reviews and prepares reports, summaries and presentations on findings.
• Perform literature reviews of scientific and technical literature to identify
• methodologies, findings and conclusions of significance and prepare summaries and reports for distribution among research and medical staff.
• Maintain credentials to standard databases, repositories, libraries, and search engines to ensure access to the most recent domestic and international publications, dissertations, research reports, etc.
• Prepare summaries, reports, dashboards and presentations on results of literature reviews to researchers and staff.
• Creates and maintains databases of all research materials, literature reviews, and publications.
• Assist data managers collect, collate, organize and upload information to advanced data repositories, and integrate local databases with enterprise software and applications such as REPORTER and IMPACII.
• Develop literature and publication repository using standard software applications and tools of research materials and conduct queries.
• Develops and edits official program management reports, official correspondence and audit reports.
• Coordinate with senior executives to prepare outline and collect and assemble into annual reports.
• Review and provide comment on the scientific and technical accuracy of a variety of reports, presentations and correspondence.
• Review and provide edits to a variety of external communication and informational materials to ensure scientific and technical accuracy and completeness.
• Provide scientific and technical writing expertise to assist researchers and staff prepare documentation.
• Assist researchers develop scientific and technical documentation, providing insights, guidance and recommendations to improve products.
• Design and maintain templates and detailed usage instructions for preparing common documentation, such as posters, presentations, reports, proposals, abstracts, etc.
• Finalizes documents and prepares materials for publication.
• Proofread all documents (drafts and final forms) for scientific and technical accuracy and completeness prior to submitting them for review and approval or acceptance.
• Critically review draft documents, synthesize comments, and incorporate appropriate comments from other reviewers into successive drafts to prepare final documents.
• Provides expert guidance, direction and support to executives in the development and distribution of scientific and technical written materials.
• Provide expert advice for general health and science communications activities that involve content creation for health communication and outreach projects, scientific and technical publication, promotional materials and online events.
• Provide expert advice and consultation to staff on issues related to scientific and programmatic written articles.
• Advise executives and program managers on written materials to be developed and present strategies for maximizing impact and performance toward organizational and programmatic goas and objectives.
• Mentors, coaches and trains writers, editors and staff on scientific and technical writing and editing practices and procedures.
• Researchers, repackages and shares among research and operational staff best practices, tips, and practices for improving the quality and consistency of scientific and technical writing.